Dispensing mechanism



Dec. 6, 1960 P. c. GOODSPEED, JR 2,963,265

DISPENSING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 29, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a l\\ INVENTOR.

R6. 6000500001 5 211; ww

fink-I Attorney Dec. 6, 1960 P. c. GOODSPEED, JR ,96 65 DISPENSING MECHANISM Fild Oct. 29, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F/G. 9 F/ /0 IN VEN TOR.

BY P C. Gooc/speed, Jr

A from y zimwam 2,963,265 DISPENSING WHANISM Filed Oct. 29, 1958, Ser. No. 770,524 1 Claim. (Cl. 251320) This is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 694,441, filed November 4, 1957, for Aerosol Valve, now United States Patent No. 2,908,479, granted October 13, 1959. The present invention relates to valve mechanisms and is particularly concerned with valve mechanisms for dispensing fluids or semi-fluids from pressurized containers of the type commonly known as aerosols.

There is disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 694,441, a valve mechanism for an aerosol which is simplified as compared to prior art valve mechanisms, and improved both from the standpoint of ease of operation and from the standpoint of east of manufacture. The present invention represents a further improvement over the prior art valve mechanisms, from both those standpoints.

The valve mechanism disclosed in my copending application comprises a valve member of compressible rubberlike material having a fiat base and a generally conical contour. The fiat base is supported so that the lateral surface of the cone is compressed against the edge of a circular opening in a seat, with the apex of the cone closing the opening. The valve is opened by forcing a pin against the central portion of the apex, thereby compressing the valve member and deforming it so as to provide a dispensing opening between the lateral surface of the valve member and the seat. The support for the base of the valve member is spaced from the seat by a fixed distance which determines the compression of the valve member when it is closed, that compression being sufficient to ensure a forced sealing engagement between the valve and the seat. The support for the value member comprises a disc abutting the flat base of the valve member and supported at its periphery by a crimp in a cylindrical portion of the aerosol cover. The seat is formed in one end of the same cylindrical portion.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved valve structure for a valve mechanism of the type described.

A further object is to provide an improved valve supporting structure for a valve mechanism of the type described.

In accordance with the present invention, the valve member is improved by modifying its shape in several respects. In the first place, the cone of the valve is truncated thereby decreasing the distance between the base and the point on the valve member engaged by the pin. This decreases the amount of material which has to be compressed in order to open the valve, thereby shortening the pin travel necessary for the valve opening. In the second place, the center of the base of the valve is hollowed out, thereby further decreasing the material which has to be compressed to open the valve and the effort required to open it. In the third'place, the base portion of the valve member is made cylindrical, with the conical surface beginning part way up the valve. This contour allows a less steep cone surface without un due increase in the base diameter.

A further improvement of the present invention is in the structure for supporting the valve member. This novel structure is a single integral support member which atent O F 2,963,265 Patented Dec. 6, 1960 provides a flat surface for supporting the valve member, a cylindrical exterior surface to be supported by the cylindrical portion of the aerosol cover and a downward projection on which may be attached the upper end of a siphon tube. In some modifications of the invention, the integral support member also includes improved means for fixing the spacing of the valve supporting surface with respect to the dispensing opening in the valve cover.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following specification and claim, taken together with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of an aerosol container, which may be equipped with a valve embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the line II-II of Fig. 1 and on a somewhat larger scale, illustrating a valve embodying the invention;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing'the aerosol container tilted and the valve open as during dispensing;

Fig. 4 is an exploded view, on a larger scale, showing the several parts of the valve mechanism of Fig. 2 disassembled; the sectionalview of the valve support element is taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the valve support element of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of a modified form of valve mechanism embodying the invention;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view, on the same enlarged scale as Fig. 6 of still another modified form of valve mechanism embodying the invention; v

Fig. 8 is an elevational view, on an enlarged scale, showing a modified form of the valve member; 4

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of another modified form of valve member;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of amodified form of valve support member;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale and taken on the line XI-XI of Fig. 12, showing a modified form of valve mechanism including another modified form of valve support member;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view on the line XIIXII of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, showing the valve support member of Figs. 11 and 12.

There is shown in the drawings an aerosol comprising a generally cylindrical container 1 having an open top with a rolled edge 1a, best seen in Fig. 2. The open top of the can is covered by a closure member or cover 2 which, like the container 1, may be formed of tin plate, aluminum, or other sheet metal. Alternatively, other materials, e.g., molded plastic, may be used for the container 1, the cover 2, or both. The cover 2 is preferably a single stamping and comprises a generally cylindrical portion 2a adapted to fit inside the rolled edge 1a of the can, a web portion 2b extending transversely from the lower edge of the cylindrical portion, and a central cylindrical portion 20 extending upwardly from the web portion 2b and terminating in a flat portion 2d, which closes the upper end of the cylindrical portion 20, except for a central aperture 2e, which serves as a dispensing opening. The flat portion 2d around the margin of aperture 22 is bent upwardly in a generally conical formation, as best seen at 2 in Fig. 4. The cover 2 is provided with a rolled edgeZg which fits. over the rolled edge 1a of the container 1.

A valve member 3 has a cylindrical base portion 31;

having a flat under surface, and a tapered portion 3b ex tending upwardly from the base 3a. In the. modification shown in Figs. 1 to 7, the tapered portion 3b is conical, and truncated at the top but with a convex top surface, as shown at 30 in Fig. 4. However, its peripheral, surface may alternatively be hemispherical as shownin the case of the valve member 4 in Fig. 8. The valve member 3-is constructed of compressible material such as rubber or the like. The term rubber as used herein is intended to include any of the various synthetic rubbers. or plastic orelastomeric materials, which may be suitable for the purpose of constructing the valve. The material must be easily compressible and deformable by light pressures. It is presently preferred to use material having a Shore Durometer hardness in the range from 65 to 75, with a hardness of 70 presently recommended. The particular hardness value used in a diiferent instance will depend upon the particular material being handled and upon the pressure used inside the can, and is not in any way critical.

Although the valve 3 is shown as being solid, it may be hollowed out as in the case of valve 16 of Fig. 9, described more fully below. The valve 4 of Fig. 8 may be either solid or hollow.

In the closed position of the valve 3, as shown in Fig. 2, it is held in place against the seat 2i by a support element 5 with a light compression suflicient to provide a forced sealing engagement of the valve against the seat. This compression is determined by the diiference between: (l) the dimension between the valve supporting surface of the support element Sand the seat 2 formed on the cover 2, and 2) the unstressed vertical dimension of the valve member between the flat bottom of the base 3a and the seat engaging surface thereof.

In the modification shown in Figs. 2 to 5, the support element 5 is generally cylindrical, and is press-fitted within the central cylindrical portion 20 of the cover 2. The support element 5 comprises an upper annular portion 5a, whose upper rim rests against the under surface of the fiat portion 2d of the cover 2. The valve 3 rests on a supporting portion 5b of the support element 5, which, as best seen in Fig. 5, consists of six sectors 5b raised above the main body of the support element 5, and separated by channels 50. Channels 50 providefluid communication between an inlet passage 5d extending axially of the element 5 and in fluid communication with the inside of the container, on the one hand, and an annular space 5e encircling the valve member 3, on the other hand. The support element Sincludes a central downward projection 51, having a ridge 5g formed in its outer surface to receive and frictionally hold the upper end of a siphon tube 6 which may extend downwardly within the aerosol and diagonally into one of the lower corners thereof, in a conventional manner, as indicated in Fig. 2.

The projection Si and tube 6, maybe omittedin any structure where the aerosol may be constructed to deliver only when the valve is directed downward.

The vertical distance between the upper, rim of the cylindrical portion 5a and the valve supporting surfaces 5b is made slightly shorter than the vertical distance between the flat bottom surface of the valve member 3. and the point on its conical exterior surface where it engages the seat 2f, when the valve member 3 is unstressed, By virtue of this dimensional relationship, when the support member is forced into its operating position, as. shown in Fig, 2, with the valve 3 in place, then the valve iscompressed by an amount determined entirely by thedirnem sions described. Note that the valve 3 is centered only by its engagement with the seat 2] and is free to move laterally as may be required to accommodate that centering. There are thus no critical lateral dimensions of the valve and seat other than the dimensions, at the, locality where the valve engages the seat. It is not necessary to maintain a fixed tolerance between those dimensions and 4' any other lateral dimensions to ensure the centering of the valve on the seat.

The assembly of the valve member 3, the support member 5 and the cover 2 is best accomplished by placing the support member 5 in an upright position in a suitable jig or fixture, placing the valve member 3 on the support member 5, and then pressing the cover 2 down over the assembled valve member and support member. It may be necessary or desirable with some materials to lubricate the valve member to ensure proper centering. Talcum powder, silicone powders, and the like, are suitable lubrican-ts.

When the valve is open as shown in Fig. 3, the fluid within the container may flow up through the siphon tube 6, through the central passage 5d, the radial passages formed by the channels 5c, the annular space 5e between the valve member 3 and the wall 5a, and then out between the seat and the valve as shown in Fig. 3.

The valve is opened by a pin 7 formed onthe under side of the central portion of a cap 8 mounted on the top of the can. The cap 8 is molded of flexible plastic material and includes an outer cylindrical portion having a lip 8b on the inner side of its lower end. The lip 8b is adapted to slide over the rolled edge 2g of the cover and snap over it to hold the cap Bfirmly in place. The cylindrical portion 8a is connected by conical web 80. to an inner cylindrical portion 3d adapted to fit closely over the cylindrical portion 20 of the cover 2. The space between the pin 7 and the. cylindrical portion 8d cornmunicates with a dispensing nozzle 9 formed integrally with the cap 8.

When it is desired to dispense material from the aerosol, the central portion of the resilient cap 8 is squeezed toward the can 1, deforming the cap 8 and pushing the pin 7 against the top of the valve member 3, thereby forcing it away from the seat 2 and allowing the material in the can to flow out through the passages described above and past the valve seat 2 Upon release of the pressure on the cap 8, the pin 7 and the valve 3 return to their normal positions in which the pin 7 just clears the tip of the valve member and the valve engages the seat 2 Fig. 6

This figure illustrates a modified form. of valve and support structure constructed in accordance with the in vention. In this arrangement the valve 3 is supported on a support element 10 which may be made in one piece of molded plastic or other suitable material and including a flange 10av which engages the inside of a cylindrical portion 11 of a cover which generally corresponds to cover 20f- Figs. 2 to 4, except that it is provided with a crimp 11a for engaging the under surface of the flange 10a. The support element lit-also includes a valve support portion 1011 which may be the same as the valve support portion 5b of the support element 5. The support element 10 also includes a downwardly extending projection-10c adapted to frictionally engage a siphon tube 6, and corresponding instructure and function to projection 51 of support element 5.

Fig, 7 shows a modified form of support element, which corresponds to. the support element 10 of Fig. 6, except-that'the grooveswhich provide radial passage for the fluidmaterial between the central inlet passage 12:: and the annular space 13, are formed as V-shapedgrooves 12 b, rather than as rectangular grooves such as those shown at 50 in Fig. 5.

In the modifications of Figs. 6 and 7, the dimension ofthesupport structure which determines the initial com.- pression of the, valve 3 is the spacing between the crimp 11a and the seat 11b which corresponds to seat 2 Fig. 9.

This figure illustrates a modified form of valve structure, generally indicated by the reference numeral 16,

which may be used in place of the valve member 3. The valve member 16 is generally similar to the valve member 3 except that the central portion of the bottom of the valve is hollowed out, as illustrated at 16a. The hollow or recess 16a has approximately a hemispherical contour, being rounded at its upper end. The diameter 17 of the recess 16a is preferably made equal to onehalf the overall diameter 18 of the valve member 16. For rubber material within the hardness range specified above, the depth 19 of the recess 16a should be approximately three-fifths of the overall height of the valve member 16.

The valve member 16 is an improvement over the valve member 3, in that the quantity of rubber-like material which must be compressed to open the valve is reduce-d in proportion to the reduced thickness of the valve member at its center. Furthermore, the opening of the valve member 16 is not accomplished solely by compression of the valve member, as it was in the case of the valve member 3. While some compression occurs during opening of the valve member 16, it is accompanied by a bending of the peripheral walls of the valve. These combined compression and bending effects facilitate the opening of the valve and reduce the force required on the cap 8.

Fig.

This figure illustrates a modified form of the support member corresponding generally to the support member 5 and indicated by the reference numeral 21. The support member 21 may be used either with a siphon tube 6, or without it, in those cases where the aerosol may be inverted for delivery. The downward projection shown at 5) in Fig. 4 is omitted from the support member 21. It is replaced by an annular recess 21b in the bottom of the support member 21, encircling a short projection 21c. The siphon tube 6 may he slipped over the side of the projection 21c, and held in place by frictional engagement with the periphery of that projection. Alternatively, a ridge such as that shown at 5g may be provided on the projection 21c.

The support member 21 may be used either in the type of container intended for dispensing in an upright position and employing a siphon tube, or in the type without a siphon tube, intended for dispensing in an inverted position.

Figs. 11 to 13 These figures illustrate a modified form of support member which may replace the support member 5. This support member is generally indicated by the reference numeral 22. The support member 22 comprises a central downward projection 22a, a horizontal supporting portion 22b consisting of four radially extending lands, and a peripheral cylindrical portion 22c. The cylindrical portion 220 is press-fitted within the recess 2c of the cover 2. The height of the cylindrical portion 220 determines the spacing between the seat 2 of the valve and the supporting portion 22b of the support member 22, and thereby determines the compression of the valve member 3 when the valve is closed.

The structure of the lands 22b is best seen in Figs. 12 and 13. As there shown, the lands 22b extend radially from the inlet tube 22a to the periphery of the cylindrical portion 220. The lands 22!; provide a surface for supporting the valve member 3, as shown in Fig. 11. The space between the lands 22b provides a path for fluid material entering the tube 22a and passing between the lands 22b into the annular space between the valve 3 and the peripheral wall 22c.

While I have shown and described certain preferred embodiments of my invention, other modifications thereof will readily occur to those skilled in the art, and I therefore intend my invention to be limited only by the appended claim.

I claim:

A valve comprising an integral cylindrical seat element of rigid material including an end wall and a side wall integral with the end wall at its periphery, said end wall having a circular central opening constituting an outlet, the portion of the end wall extending marginally about the opening and within the side wall constituting a valve seat, said cylindrical seat element being open at the end of the side wall remote from the end wall to provide an inlet, a valve member of compressible resilient material having a fiat base portion and a convex apex portion narrower than and in opposed relation to said base portion and larger in diameter than the outlet, said valve member tapering from the base portion to the apex portion, said valve member having all its dimensions parallel to the base surface substantially smaller than the internal dimensions of the side wall, said valve member being located within the side wall and cooperating therewith to define an annular chamber, a support element for said valve member, said support element being relatively rigid as compared to said valve element and including an end portion of annular cross-section within said annular chamber with its end abutting the end wall and with its periph eral surface frictionally engaging the inside surface of the side wall to center the support element with respect to the side wall, said support element also including a support portion integral with the end portion and having a flat surface transverse to said annular end portion and abutting the flat base portion of the valve member, means including a portion of said support element defining at least one passage providing fluid communication between said inlet and said annular chamber, said valve member and said support element being slidably insertable through the inlet into the cylindrical seat element to a position where the end of the annular end portion is in abutting engagement with the end wall, the peripheral surface of said annular end portion cooperating with the side wall to retain the support element at said position with the support element and the end wall cooperating to compress the valve member to an extent determined only by the dimensions of the valve member and of the support element, said apex portion of the valve member and the end wall cooperating, in the event of misalignment of the valve member apex portion and the outlet, to apply to the valve member a force tending to center the apex portion in the outlet, the abutting flat surfaces of the valve member and the support element accommodating lateral movement of the valve member by said force necessary to accomplish said centering, said support element and end wall then cooperating to hold the apex portion of the valve member in forced sealing engagement with the seat, a valve operating pin, means supporting the pin at the opposite side of the end wall from the valve member and normally spaced therefrom, said pin being smaller in diameter than the outlet, said pin supporting means being movable to shift the pin from its normal position into engagement with the apex portion of the valve member to compress the valve member further and move the apex portion out of engagement with the seat, thereby opening the valve to provide fluid communication between the annular chamber and the outlet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 244,468 McElroy July 19, 1881 668,355 Osgood Feb. 19, 1901 706,573 Lindsay Aug. 12, 1902 1,758,625 Saul May 13, 1930 2,045,926 Reutter June 30, 1936 2,106,638 Hillier Ian. 25, 1938 2,305,286 Ward Dec. 15, 1942 2,663,540 Erickson Dec. 22, 1953 2,709,111 Green May 24, 1955 

